El Clasico Unmasked: Hidden Crises Strike Real Madrid Before the Big Date

With the Clasico scheduled for October 26, Real Madrid's locker room is grappling with hidden crises that threaten the team's stability ahead of one of the season's biggest matches.

Even though Madrid sit at the top of La Liga on 21 points, two clear of their arch-rivals Barcelona before the clash, a defeat to Barça could become a turning point that exposes issues and unsettles the campaign.

Salaries: A Silent Clash

The wage dispute inside Real Madrid's dressing room cannot be ignored, and Spanish press says Vinicius Junior is demanding the same salary as teammate Kylian Mbappé for a new contract.

Mbappé earns around 31.25 million euros per year, roughly 600,000 euros weekly, the highest payroll in the squad.

By contrast, Vinicius Junior's current salary sits around 20.8 million euros, far below Mbappé despite his key contributions in performances and results.

This gap has pushed Vinicius to press the club for a contract review, insisting he is a fundamental player deserving compensation proportional to his achievements.

Spanish papers have even floated the possibility that his contract might not be renewed if demands aren't met, stirring tension in the club.

News also highlighted interest from Saudi and European giants offering around 250 million euros, adding pressure on the club to negotiate with the player.

Coach Xabi Alonso says things are under control, that Vinicius respects the club's decisions, and that talk of inflated financial demands is not true; the club remains committed to player stability while focusing on performance against rivals.

Meanwhile, the saga extends beyond payroll: reports of a 250 million-euro bid amplify the pressure on Madrid to resolve the matter swiftly.

In parallel, the club's leadership has signaled determination to keep the star happy and the locker room cohesive as they navigate the Clasico week.

Punchline time: If salaries were a goal, Madrid would already have won the league of numbers—but apparently the only thing getting a raise tonight is the press briefing budget.

Valverde’s Mutiny: Truth and Denial

The Fede Valverde disturbance in relations with the coaching staff has sparked questions about his relationship with Xabi Alonso and his role in the squad. Both sides deny any real rift, but media chatter persists.

Officially, Valverde says playing right-back isn't comfortable for him, noting: “This position isn't my natural one, and I struggle to close defensive gaps, but I'm ready to serve the team.”

Later, his absence from the starting lineup in the Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty and a lack of energy during warmups fed mutiny speculation.

Valverde quickly pushed back, denying any rebellion and blaming his recent dip in form on his responsibility, while affirming his respect for his coach.

Alonso likewise rejected mutiny rumors, stressing that Valverde is committed and that playing him in multiple positions is a matter of tactical flexibility and professionalism.

Florentino Pérez reportedly stepped in personally to calm the waters, holding a phone call with the player to reaffirm the club's support and to curb the media circus, aiming to restore balance in the dressing room.

Injuries: Another Crisis for Alonso

Before the eagerly awaited Clasico, Madrid face an extraordinary wave of injuries threatening stability and tactical readiness.

The coaching staff, led by Alonso, fears the impact on the starting XI as some core players are sidelined, forcing difficult choices for rotation and injuries management.

In the locker room, Alonso must balance returning players with the bench waiting for opportunities, which complicates lineup decisions and preparation for the big game.

Among the injured, Kylian Mbappé has a sprained ankle from a France game and is back in training, but his participation remains uncertain for the match.

Franco Mastantuono is listed with a thigh strain, while Dín Huisén continues to recover from a minor muscle issue and could be available soon, depending on how he responds to treatment. In defense, Antonio Rüdiger suffers a thigh tear and is out until at least November, creating a notable absence in central defense.

Dani Carvajal has shown improvement and could feature in coming days to compete for his usual spot, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is dealing with a hamstring issue and Ferland Mendy remains in rehab after a long-term injury, with no firm return date yet.

Meanwhile, the backline will also have to cope with the continued absence of others, keeping the defensive unit under pressure as the Clasico approaches.

Punchline time: If injuries were an Olympic sport, Madrid would win gold, silver, and the participation ribbon—talk about a triple-substitution season’s dream!